The trial court did not err in discharging a juror, during deliberations, who expressed his disbelief that a son could murder his mother under the circumstances shown by the evidence. Based upon initial notes from the jury, the trial court had grounds to inquire of the jury, and its investigation did not unduly intrude into the deliberative process. The evidence presented justified dismissal of the juror on two of the four grounds listed by the trial court (concealing a bias during voir dire about a case of matricide and sleeping during the taking of evidence). (2-1)
Case Summaries